Obituary of Joseph J. Caruso

Joseph J. "My Joe" Caruso, 84, of Cranford, formerly of Maplewood, died on Aug. 21, 2009 in St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church, 767 Prospect St., Maplewood, on Monday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. Interment is in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Visitation will be held at The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home, 2122 Millburn Ave., Maplewood, on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. For more information or to send condolences, please visit jacobhollefuneral home.com. Born in Astoria, N.Y., Mr. Caruso lived in Maplewood for many years, moving to Cranford six years ago. He joined the Maplewood Fire Department in 1954 and retired as a fire captain in 1983. Mr. Caruso was a member and past president of the Maplewood FMBA Local 25. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1943 to 1946 in the 70th Armored Infantry Division, and was the recipient of a European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal. He was the beloved husband of Antoinette "Dolly" Cuzzo Caruso; devoted father of Joseph Caruso, retired Maplewood fire chief, and his wife, Susan, and Angela Fischer and her husband, Paul; loving grandfather of Jennifer Vroman, David Caruso, Jill Caruso, and Dalton Fischer; dear brother of Gloria Miles; also survived by four great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Barnabas Hospice, 95 Old Short Hills Road, West Orange, N.J. 07052 or Susan G. Komen for the Cure , North Jersey Affiliate, 785 Springfield Ave., Summit, N.J. 07901 would be appreciated.